2 days Ago
Surat: Shiv Shakti Textile Market (SSTM), where textile goods and valuables worth crores were gutted in a two-day blaze on Feb 26-27, had a valid no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Surat Fire and Emergency Services (SFES), issued in 2021. The fire safety clearance was later renewed by a fire safety officer appointed by the directorate of state fire prevention services, Gujarat. A major hurdle that hampered firefighting operations was the narrow and weak passage around the market building, which restricted the movement of large fire engines.
According to the preliminary assessment by SFES officials, the passage floor was built over the basement slab, which was not sturdy enough to bear the load of 40-metric-ton fire tenders. With the larger fire engines unable to access the building, the operation was carried out using smaller fire tenders. The passage was also encroached by unauthorised sheds, which were removed during the firefighting operation.
"Regarding the unauthorised sheds, we had written to the central zone office earlier, and their removal was under their jurisdiction. Our role is to inspect fire safety preparedness and ensure the building has the required infrastructure," said an SFES official. SFES clarified that issues related to construction irregularities — including the basement structure and narrow passages — fall under the town development department's authority.
After the fire, SFES officials asserted that no major structural changes were observed in the market since the NOC was granted in 2021. They also confirmed that the NOC renewal process was carried out following due procedure. The fire first broke out on Feb 25 in the basement — suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit — engulfing at least five shops and claiming the life of a worker, Mahendra Jain (47), due to asphyxiation.
The SFES contained the fire after a cooling operation. However, a second blaze erupted the next morning, allegedly caused by a short circuit from a generator set that was brought in after electricity supply was cut off. Firefighting operations continued until Feb 28, leaving behind massive damage to property.
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